 After World War II,
a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula
while a Communist-style government was installed in the north.
The Korean War (1950-53) had US and other UN forces intervene to
defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese.
An armistice was signed in 1953 splitting the peninsula along a
demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South
Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising
to roughly 20 times the level of North Korea. South Korea has maintained
its commitment to democratize its political processes. In June
2000, a historic first north-south summit took place between the
south's President KIM Dae-jung and the north's leader KIM Chong-il. |
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